Self-feeding cigarette case



r. Y. SHINODA SELF-FEEDING CIGARETTE CASE Oct. 14, 1969 Filed Nov. 3, 6? Q Ifra. 1.

3 Sheets-Sheet '1 Iivvswroe. 720 K Sum/000 firrae/vsvs.

Oct. 14, 1969 1-. Y. SHINODA 3,472,362

SELF'FEEDING CIGARETTE CASE Filed Nov. 3, 196'? s Sheets-Sheet 2 1256.5. 4 121 .6. -15 11 V Y Y "I. .I'... A

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United States Patent 3,472,362 SELF-FEEDING CIGARETTE CASE Ted Y. Shinoda, 4331 Keystone Ave, Culver City, Calif. 90230 Filed Nov. 3, 1967, Ser. No. 680,433 Int. Cl. A24f 15/00; B65d 85/10 US. Cl. 20641.4 14 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to cigarette containers and more specifically concerns quick opening case or package facilitating ease of access to contained cigarettes and promoting self-feeding of the cigarettes to withdraw position.

In the past, cigarette containers such as relatively inflexible cases have been characterized by disadvantages such an inability to feed or provide easy access to cigarettes. On the other hand, while such past containers have been bulky, they have had the advantage of reducing crushing of contained cigarettes. Further, prior containers and packages have not particularly lended themselves to one-handed manipulation for opening purposes to give access to cigarettes, as for example in automobiles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a major object of the invention to provide a cigarette container characterized as overcoming the above as well as other problems encountered by the smoker, the container being quickly openable to provide self-feeding of cigarettes in response to one-handed manipulation. Other features of the invention include the incorporation into such a container of a lighter that is always accessible, the lighter being releasable from the container; the incorporation into such a container of a cutter operable to quickly open a cigarette package within the container; and the incorporation into such a container of magnetic means operable to removably attach the container to an iron containing support as for example a steel panel found in an automobile.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention, as well as the details of illustrative embodiments, will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of the drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a container in the form of a case incorporating the inventiorl;

FIG. 2 is a view like FIG. 1, but with the container in completely opened condition;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary vertical section taken through the container of FIG. 1, illustrating the manner in which the'movable cover may be opened;

FIG. 4 is a View like FIG. 3, showing the container movable cover in fully open condition;

FIG. 5 is a view like FIG. 3, showing the manner in which the movable cover may be closed;

FIG. 6 is a view like FIG. 3, showing the movable cover in fully closed condition;

3,472,362 Patented Oct. 14, 1969 ice FIG. 7 is a section taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 1, and showing the locations of cigarettes placed in the container; FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a modified container;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the FIG. 8 container or case for a cigarette package which is being cut open;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a container incorporating a releasable lighter;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary section illustrating a modified container;

FIGS. 12 and 13 are perspective showings of a modified case in closed and partially open condition, respectively;

FIG. 14 is a section taken on line 14-14 of FIG. 12; and

FIGS. 15a and 15b are sections similar to FIG. 14 showing another modified case.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS connection to the receptacle at 16 to accommodate swinging of the cover between closed position as seen in FIGS. 1 and 6 in which cigarettes within the receptacle are concealed, and fully open position as seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, in which cigarettes in the receptacle are exposed. Note in this regard the cigarettes 17 seen in broken lines in FIG. 2 as having considerable upper length exposed for ease of removal from the container or case. Such cigarette exposure and positioning are also facilitated by the slanted edges 18 of the receptacle walls 13 and by the construction of the cover. The latter has a top wall 19, opposite side walls 20 generally co-planar with the receptacle side walls 13, and an end wall 21 generally co-planer with receptacle end Wall 14a in cover closed position. Hinge connection 16 is located proximate terminals of the cover end wall 21 and of the receptacle end Wall 14a and defines a hinge axis characterized in that the cover swings downwardly and away from the top of the receptacle in moving toward fully open position.

The thin walled cover and receptacle may be constructed of rather stiff material such as cardboard or suitable molded plastic. Note also in FIGS. 1 and 2 that the receptacle has a top wall in the form of a flap 25 attached to the receptacle side walls 13 as by bonding of integral side flaps 25a to the side walls. Such attachment is effected after loading of cigarettes into the receptacle through the top thereof, the flap 25 at that time being swung on hinge connection 26 to open position seen in FIG. 2. After such loading the side flaps 25a are bonded to the side walls 13 to bring the top flap 25 into co-planar relation with the cover top wall 19 in cover closed position.

In accordance with an important aspect of the invention biasing means is provided for releasably holding the cover in closed position and to be responsive to manual pressure exertion proximate a wall of the receptacle to urge the cover toward open position. While such a biasing means may take various forms all of which operate in gen erally the same way to produce the same result, as described, one highly advantageous form of such a biasing means includes a spring, such as narrow flat spring 27, operatively connected between the receptacle and cover and movable from more tensioned condition in cover closed position (FIG. 6) to more released (i.e. less or even untensioned) condition in cover open position (FIG. 4). Accordingly, the spring 27 may have a naturally bowed position in FIG. 4 and an unnaturally straightened position in FIG. 6. The spring 27 as illustrated has one leg 27a attached as by rivet 28, or other means, to the cover end wall 21, whereas leg 27b is attached to the receptacle 3 end wall 14a as by the clamping action of spring arm 29.

Arm 29 is an element of detent structure operable to block opening movement of the cover in closed position (FIG. 6), and to unblock such opening movement in response to inward deflection of the receptacle end wall 14a as depicted in FIG. 3. Arm 29 is suitably attached as by rivets 30 to the receptacle wall 14:: near bottom wall 12, and in such manner that the upper extent of the arm is free to be resiliently displaced inwardly and away from the receptacle wall 14a in response to inward deflection of the wall 14a at a location between edge connection 31 to the bottom wall 12 and hinge connection 16 to the cover. Note the manual exertion as by finger 32 in FIG. 3 accomplishing this deflection.

The detent structure also includes a part 33 carried by the cover, as for example by rivet attachment at 28, and engaging the arm 29 at terminal 33a in FIG. 5, to deflect the arm 29 inwardly and travel over center as the cover is swung from open to closed position. Note that in closed position the part terminal 33a is kept adjacent the receptacle wall 140, in FIG. 6, by spring arm 29, whereby the part 33 extends upright and the cover is biased closed against the tension of the spring 27. Such retention of the part terminal 33a is relieved when the spring arm is deflected inwardly in FIG. 3, whereby the spring 27 may then deflect and pop open the cover.

Accordingly, the cover opens automatically when finger pressure is exerted on the receptacle as described. Also, the compactness and flatness of the detent and spring arm structure prevents damage to the cigarette contents of the case. See in this regard the local positioning of these narrow, thin elements in the void space between the end cigarettes, as shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 illustrates the provision of a button 35 adapted to be finger pressed at receptacle end wall 14a. The button may be pushed inwardly to deflect the spring arm 29 inwardly, when it is desired to allow the cover 15 to pop open.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, the modified case has a receptacle 11 and cover 15 as described above. In addition, it includes an auxiliary cover at and fitting the opposite upper corner of the receptacle, cover 40 being removable and carrying a downwardly projecting cutter 41. The latter fits downwardly within the receptacle in FIG. 8, during non-use of the cutter, and at which time the top wall 42 of the auxiliary cover 40 extends over the top of the receptacle in generally co-planar relation with the top wall 19 of the cover 15. FIG. 9 illustrates the reception of a package 44 of cigarettes within the case, as well as the use of the cutter 41 to slice downwardly into the package at the upper end thereof adjacent the wall 21 of the movable cover 15 when the latter is in closed position. Such slicing results in quick opening of the end of the package 44, the top of which may then be torn Oh? to expose the cigarettes. Thereafter, the auxiliary cover 40 may be returned to its position as seen in FIG. 8.

FIG. 8 also illustrates the mounting of magnets 46 by and within channel 47 attached to the end wall 14b of the receptacle. Such magnets are exposed for magnetically attaching the case to an iron containing support, such as a steel panel within an automobile passenger compartment. Accordingly, the driver may reach out, push the case wall or button to open the case, and pick out a cigarette, all with only one hand. He may then close the case with the same hand, leaving the other hand at all times for steering the car. As succeeding cigarettes are removed, other cigarettes fall to pull out position due to vibration of the automobile, producing self-feeding.

FIG. 10 illustrates the mounting of magnets 48 by and within a channel 49 attached to the bottom wall 12 of the receptacle. In addition, a small cigarette lighter 50 has releasable connections to the receptacle, as by fitting of projections 51 on the lighter into indentations 52 on the channel flanges 49a, whereby the lighter and case form a package unit that may be carried in a purse, the lighter being readily available as needed. The projections are held in the indentations by magnetic attraction. Removal of the lighter facilitates magnetic attachment of the receptacle to a steel panel in an automobile.

Referring to FIGS. 12-14, the modified container or case includes an upright receptacle 101 having a bottom 102, opposite side walls 103 and opposite end walls 104a and 10411. The case also includes a movable cover 105 at the upper corner of the receptacle, hinge connection to the receptacle being provided at 106 to accommodate swinging of the cover between closed and open positions. FIG. 13 shows the cover in partially open position, and traveling toward fully open position in response to inward force exertion at 107 against the upper extent of relatively stiff wall 104a.

In this embodiment, the hinge connection 106 provides the biasing means which acts, in conjunction with the relatively stiff curved end walls 104a and 121 of the receptacle and cover, to hold the cover in closed position in FIG. 12. As the wall 104a is urged inwardly, as shown in FIG. 13, the curved hinge connection 106 deflects and responds to straigtening to urge the cover toward open position. The case 100 may typically be molded of plastic such as polypropylene, having a wall thickness of between about .010 and .015 inche. Instead of outward curvature, the end walls may have outward bulging in the form of a shallow triangle or sawtooth.

FIG. 15a shows a further modification end wall typical of both cover and receptacle end walls in as molded condition without curvature. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 15b, a curved flat spring 131 is inserted into the position shown, for retention by small inward projections 132 on the opposite side walls 133. Flat spring 131 biases the end Wall 130 into curved configuration as shown in FIG. 15b, both the cover and receptacle end walls then taking this configuration. Operation of the modified case is similar to operation of the FIGS. 12-14 case, as described, excepting that the biasing means in this instance may be considered to include the flat spring 131. The latter may typically consist of thin plastic stock, such as the commercial product known as Delrin.

I claim:

1. In a cigarette container, the combination comprising an upright receptacle having a bottom, opposite side walls and opposite end Walls,

a movable cover at the top of the receptacle and having connection to the receptacle to accommodate swinging of the cover between closed position in which cigarettes in the receptacle are concealed and open position in which cigarettes in the receptacle are exposed,

and biasing means for releasably holding the cover in closed position and responsive to manual pressure exertion proximate a wall of the receptacle to urge the cover toward said open position.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said cover has a top wall, opposite side Walls generally co-planar with the receptacle side walls and an end wall generally co-planar with one end wall of the receptacle in cover closed position, said connection being located proximate terminals of said cover end wall and of said receptacle one end wall and defining a hinge axis characterized in that the cover swings downwardly and away from the top of the receptacle in moving toward open position.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said biasing means includes a spring operatively connected between the receptacle and cover and movable from more tensioned condition in cover closed condition to more released condition in cover open position, and detent structure operable to block opening movement of the cover in cover closed position and to unblock opening movement of the cover in response to inward deflection of the receptacle one end wall.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said spring has one leg attached to the cover end wall and another leg attached to the receptacle one end wall, said detent structure including a spring arm attached to said receptacle to be resiliently displaced inwardly from said receptacle one end wall in response to said inward deflection of the receptacle one end wall, said detent structure including a part carried by the cover and engaging said arm to deflect the arm inwardly and travel over center as the cover moves from open to closed position.

5. The combination of claim 4 including cigarettes in said package, said spring arm projecting in the space formed between cigarettes adjacent said one end wall of the receptacle.

6. The combination of claim 2 wherein the receptacle has a top wall flap attached to said receptacle side walls and extending in generally co-planar relation with the cover top wall in cover closed position.

7. The combination of claim 1 wherein said movable cover is located at one upper end of the receptacle, and including an auxiliary cover located at the other upper end of the receptacle, the auxiliary cover being removable and carrying a cutter manipulable to cut open a cigarette package received in the case and at a location exposed by opening of said movable cover.

8. The combination of claim 1 including a permanent magnet attached to said receptacle and exposed to the periphery for magnetically attaching the case to an iron containing support.

9. The combination of claim 1 including a cigarette lighter having releasable connection to said receptacle to extend opposite said receptacle bottom.

10. The combination of claim 9 including a permanent magnet attached to the receptacle to extend between the receptacle bottom and said lighter.

11. The combination of claim 1 wherein said biasing means comprises said connection in the form of an outwardly bulged hinge positioned to be inwardly deflected in response to said manual pressure exertion.

12. The combination of claim 11 wherein said cover and receptacle have outwardly bulged end walls interconnected by said hinge.

13. The combination of claim 12 wherein said biasing means includes a flat spring biasing at least one of said walls into said curvature.

14. In a container for elongated objects, the combination comprising an upright receptacle having a bottom, opposite side walls and opposite end walls,

a movable cover at the top of the receptacle and having connection to the receptacle to accommodate swinging of the cover between closed position in which said objects in the receptacle are concealed and open position in which said objects in the receptacle are exposed,

and biasing means for releasably holding the cover .in closed position and responsive to manual pressure exertion proximate a wall of the receptacle to urge the cover toward said open position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,506,600 5/1950 Kassovic.

JAMES B. MARBERT, Primary Examiner 

